<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1


                               OPEN SOLUTIONS INC.

                        INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


1. Grant of Option. OPEN SOLUTIONS INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
hereby grants [____________________] ("Optionee") an option, pursuant to the
Company's 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), to purchase an aggregate of
[____________________] of Common Stock ("Common Stock") of the Company at a
price [__________] per share, purchasable as set forth in, and subject to the
terms and conditions of this option and the Plan. Except where the context
otherwise requires, the term "Company" shall include the parent and all present
and future subsidiaries of the Company as defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended or replaced from time to time
(the "Code").

2. Incentive Stock Option. This option is intended to qualify as an incentive
stock option ("Incentive Stock Option") within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Code.

3. Exercise of Option and Provisions for Termination.

       (a)    Vesting Schedule. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement,
       this option may be exercised prior to the tenth anniversary of the date
       of grant (hereinafter the "Expiration Date") in installments as to not
       more than the number of shares set forth in Schedule A hereto during the
       respective installment periods set forth in Schedule A hereto.

       The right of exercise shall be cumulative so that if the option is not
       exercised to the maximum extent permissible during any exercise period,
       it shall be exercisable, in whole or in part, with respect to all shares
       not so purchased at any time prior to the Expiration Date or the earlier
       termination of this option. This option may not be exercised at any time
       on or after the Expiration Date.

       (b)    Exercise Procedure. Subject to the conditions set forth in this
       Agreement, this option shall be exercised by the Optionee's delivery of
       written notice of exercise to the Treasurer of the Company, specifying
       the number of shares to be purchased and the purchase price to be paid
       therefor and accompanied by payment in full in accordance with Section 4.
       Such exercise shall be effective upon receipt by the Treasurer of the
       Company of such written notice together with the required payment. The
       Optionee may purchase less than the number of shares covered hereby,
       provided that no partial exercise of this option may be for any
       fractional share or for fewer than ten whole shares.

       (c)    Continuous Employment Required. Except as otherwise provided in
       this Section 3, this option may not be exercised unless the Optionee, at
       the time he or she exercises this option is, and has been at all times
       since the date of grant of this option, an employee of the Company. For
       all purposes of this option, (i) "employment" shall be defined in
       accordance with the provisions of Section 1.421-7(h) of the Income Tax
       Regulations or any successor regulations, and (ii) if this option shall
       be assumed or a new option substituted therefor in a transaction to which
       Section 424(a) of the Code applies, employment by such assuming or
       substitution corporation (hereinafter called the "Successor Corporation")
       shall be considered for all purposes of this option to be employment by
       the company.

       (d)    Exercise Period Upon Termination of Employment. If the Optionee
       ceases to be employed by the Company for any reason, then, except as
       provided in paragraphs(e) and (f) below, the right to exercise this
       option shall terminate three months after such cessation (but in no event
       after the Expiration Date), provided that this option shall be
       exercisable only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise
       this option on the date of such cessation. The Company's obligation to
       deliver shares upon the exercise of this option shall be subject to the
       satisfaction of all applicable federal, state and local income and
       imployment tax withholding requirements, arising by reason of this option
       being treated as a non-statutory option or otherwise. Notwithstanding the
       foregoing, if the Optionee, prior to the Expiration Date, violates any
       provision of any employment, nondisclosure, non-competition or other
       similar agreements between the


<PAGE>

       Optionee and the Company the right to exercise this option shall
       terminate immediately upon written notice to the Optionee from the
       Company describing such violation.

       (e)    Exercise Period Upon Death or Disability. If the Optionee dies or
       becomes disabled (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code)
       prior to the Expiration Date while he or she is an employee of the
       Company, or if the Optionee dies within three months after the Optionee
       ceases to be an employee of the Company (other than as the result of a
       discharge for "cause" as specified in paragraph (f) below), this option
       shall be exercisable, within the period of one year following the date of
       death or disability of the Optionee (but in no event after the Expiration
       Date), by the Optionee or by the person to whom this option is
       transferred by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
       Notwithstanding the vesting schedule set forth on Schedule A, if the
       employee dies or becomes disabled, this option shall be exercisable for
       the number of shares as to which this option would have been exercisable
       by the Optionee on the first anniversary of the date of his or her death
       or disability. Except as otherwise indicated by the context, the term
       "Optionee", as used in this option, shall be deemed to include the estate
       of the Optionee or any person who acquires the right to exercise this
       option by bequest or inheritance or otherwise by reason of the death of
       the Optionee.

       (f)    Discharge for Cause. If the Optionee, prior to the Expiration
       Date, is discharged by the Company for "cause" (as defined below), the
       right to exercise this option shall terminate immediately upon such
       cessation of employment. "Cause" shall mean willful misconduct in
       connection with the Optionee's employment or willful failure to perform
       his or her employment responsibilities in the best interests of the
       Company (including, without limitation, breach by the Optionee of any
       provision of any employment, nondisclosure, non-competition or other
       similar agreement between the Optionee and the Company), as determined by
       the Company, which determination shall be conclusive. The Optionee shall
       be considered to have been discharged "for cause" if the Company
       determines, within 30 days after the Optionee's resignation, that
       discharge for cause was warranted.

4. Payment of Purchase Price.

       (a)    Method of Payment. Payment of the purchase price for shares
       purchased upon exercise of this option shall be made (i) by delivery to
       the Company of cash or a check to the order of the Company in an amount
       equal to the purchase price of such shares, (ii) subject to the consent
       of the Company, by delivery to the Company of shares of Common Stock of
       the Company then owned by the Optionee having a fair market value equal
       in amount to the purchase price of such shares, (iii) by any other means
       which the Board of Directors determines are consistent with the purpose
       of the Plan and with applicable laws and regulations (including, without
       limitation, the provisions of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange
       Act of 1934 and Regulation T promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board),
       or (iv) by any combination of such methods of payment.

       (b)    Valuation of Shares or Other Non-Cash Consideration Tendered in
       Payment of Purchase Price. For the purposes hereof, the fair market value
       of any share of the Company's Common Stock or other non-cash
       consideration which may be delivered to the Company in exercise of this
       option shall be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the
       Company.

       (c)    Delivery of Shares Tendered in Payment of Purchase Price. If the
       Optionee exercises this option by delivery of shares of Common Stock of
       the Company, the certificate or certificates representing the shares of
       Common Stock of the Company to be delivered shall be duly executed in
       blank by the Optionee or shall be accompanied by a stock power duly
       executed in blank suitable for purposes of transferring such shares to
       the Company. Fractional shares of Common Stock of the Company will not be
       accepted in payment of the purchase price of shares acquired upon
       exercise of this option.

       (d)    Restrictions on Use of Option Stock. Notwithstanding the
       foregoing, no shares of Common Stock of the Company may be tendered in
       payment of the purchase price of shares purchased upon exercise of this
       option if the shares to be so tendered were acquired within twelve (12)
       months before the date of such tender, through the exercise of an option
       granted under the Plan or any other stock option or restricted stock plan
       of the Company.


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5. Delivery of Shares; Compliance With Securities Laws, Etc.

       (a)    General. Subject to the Company's right of first refusal under
       Section 12, the Company shall, upon payment of the option price for the
       number of shares purchased and paid for, make prompt delivery of such
       shares to the Optionee, provided that if any law or regulation requires
       the Company to take any action with respect to such shares before the
       issuance thereof, then the date of delivery of such shares shall be
       extended for the period necessary to complete such action.

       (b)    Listing, Qualification, Etc. This option shall be subject to the
       requirement that if, at any time, counsel to the Company shall determine
       that the listing, registration or qualification of the shares subject
       hereto upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or
       the consent or approval of any governmental or regulatory body, or that
       the disclosure of non-public information or the satisfaction of any other
       condition is necessary as a condition of, or in connection with, the
       issuance or purchase of shares hereunder, this option may not be
       exercised, in whole or in part, unless such listing, registration,
       qualification, consent or approval, disclosure or satisfaction of such
       other condition shall have been effected or obtained on terms acceptable
       to the Board of Directors. Nothing herein shall be deemed to require the
       Company to apply for, effect or obtain such listing, registration,
       qualification or disclosure, or to satisfy such other condition.

6. Nontransferability of Option. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of Section
3, this option is personal and no rights granted hereunder may be transferred,
assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or
otherwise) nor shall any such rights be subject to execution, attachment or
similar process. Upon any attempt to transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate or
otherwise dispose of this option or of such rights contrary to the provisions
hereof, or upon the levy of any attachment or similar process upon this option
or such rights, this option and such rights shall, at the election of the
Company, become null and void.

7. No Special Employment or Similar Rights. Nothing contained in the Plan or
this option shall be construed or deemed by any person under any circumstances
to bind the Company to continue the employment of the Optionee for the period
within which this option may be exercised.

8. Rights as a Shareholder. The Optionee shall have no rights as a shareholder
with respect to any shares which may be purchased by exercise of this option
(including, without limitation, any rights to receive dividends or non-cash
distributions with respect to such shares) unless and until a certificate
representing such shares is duly issued and delivered to the Optionee. No
adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date
is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued.

9. Adjustment Provisions.

       (a)    General. If, through or as a result of any merger, consolidation,
       sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company,
       reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock
       split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction, (i) the
       outstanding shares of Common Stock are increased or decreased or are
       exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of
       the Company, or (ii) additional shares or new or different shares or
       other securities of the Company or other non-cash assets are distributed
       with respect to such shares of Common Stock or other securities, the
       Optionee shall, with respect to this option or any unexercised portion
       hereof, be entitled to the rights and benefits, and be subject to the
       limitations, set forth in Section 16(a) of the Plan.

       (b)    Board Authority to Make Adjustments. Any adjustments under this
       Section 9 will be made by the Board of Directors, whose determination as
       to what adjustments, if any, will be made and the extent thereof will be
       final, binding and conclusive. No fractional shares will be issued
       pursuant to this option on account of any such adjustments.

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       (c)    Limits on Adjustments. No adjustment shall be made under this
       Section 9 which would, within the meaning of any applicable provision of
       the Code, constitute a modification, extension or renewal of this option
       or a grant of additional benefits to the Optionee.

10. Mergers, Consolidation, Distributions, Liquidations Etc. In the event of a
merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company in which outstanding shares of Common Stock are exchanged for
securities, cash or other property of any other corporation or business entity,
or in the event of a liquidation of the Company, prior to the Expiration Date or
termination of this option, the Optionee shall, with respect to this option or
any unexercised portion hereof, be entitled to the rights and benefits, and be
subject to the limitations, set forth in Section 17(a) of the Plan.

11. Withholding Taxes. The Company's obligation to deliver shares upon the
exercise of this option shall be subject to the Optionee's satisfaction of all
applicable federal, state and local income and employment tax withholding
requirements.

12. Right of First Refusal.

       (a)    Grant. The Company is hereby granted the right of first refusal
       (the "Right of First Refusal"), exercisable in connection with any
       proposed transfer of any Shares purchased in accordance with this
       Agreement. For purposes of this Section 12, the term "transfer" shall
       include any sale, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or other disposition
       for value of the Shares intended to be made by the Optionee, but shall
       not include any of the permitted transfers under paragraph (e) of Section
       3 and the term "Optionee" includes any successor in interest by reason of
       purchase, gift or other transfer.

       (b)    Notice of Intended Disposition. In the event the Optionee desires
       to accept a bona fide third-party offer for the transfer of any or all of
       the Shares (the shares subject to such offer to be hereinafter called the
       "Target Shares"), the Optionee shall promptly (i) deliver to the Company
       written notice as specified in Section 14 (the "Disposition Notice") of
       the terms and conditions of the offer, including the purchase price and
       the identity of the third-party offeror, and (ii) provide satisfactory
       proof that the disposition of Target Shares to such third-party offeror
       would not be in contravention of any other provision set forth in this
       Agreement.

       (c)    Exercise of Right. The Company (or its assignees) shall, for a
       period of twenty-five (25) days following receipt of the Disposition
       Notice, have the right to repurchase any or all of the Target Shares
       specified in the Disposition Notice upon the same terms and conditions
       specified therein, subject to the immediately following paragraph. Such
       right shall be exercisable by delivery of written notice (the "Exercise
       Notice") to the Optionee prior to the expiration of the twenty-five
       (25)-day exercise period. If such right is exercised with respect to all
       the Target Shares specified in the Disposition Notice, then the Company
       (or its assignees) shall effect the repurchase of the Target Shares,
       including payment of the purchase price, not more than five (5) business
       days after delivery of the Exercise Notice; and at such time the Optionee
       shall deliver to the Company the certificates representing the Target
       Shares to be repurchased, each certificate to be properly endorsed for
       transfer.

       Should the purchase price specified in the Disposition Notice be payable
       in property other than cash or evidences of indebtedness, the Company (or
       its assignees) shall have the right to pay the purchase price in the form
       of cash equal in amount to the value of such property. If the Optionee
       and the Company (or its assignees) cannot agree on such cash value within
       ten (10) days after the Company's receipt of the Disposition Notice, the
       valuation shall be made by an appraiser of recognized standing selected
       by the Optionee and the Company (or its assignees) or, if they cannot
       agree on an appraiser within twenty (20) days after the Company's receipt
       of the Disposition Notice, each shall select an appraiser of recognized
       standing and the two appraisers shall designate a third appraiser of
       recognized standing, whose appraisal shall be determinative of such
       value. The cost of such appraisal shall be shared equally by the Optionee
       and the Company. The closing shall then be held on the later of (i) the
       fifth business day following delivery of the Exercise Notice or (ii) the
       fifth business day after such cash valuation shall have been made.



<PAGE>

       (d)    Non-Exercise of Right. In the event the Exercise Notice is not
       given to the Optionee within twenty-five (25) days following the date of
       the Company's receipt of the Disposition Notice, the Optionee shall have
       a period of thirty (30) days thereafter in which to sell or otherwise
       dispose of the Target Shares to the third-party offeror identified in the
       Disposition Notice upon terms and conditions (including the purchase
       price) no more favorable to such third-party offeror than those specified
       in the Disposition Notice; provided, however, that any such sale or
       disposition must not be effected in contravention of the other provisions
       of this Agreement. The third-party offeror shall acquire the Target
       Shares free and clear of the Company's Right of First Refusal hereunder,
       but the acquired shares shall remain subject to the securities law
       restrictions of this Agreement. In the event Optionee does not effect
       such sale or disposition of the Target Shares within the specified thirty
       (30)-day period, the Company's Right of First Refusal shall continue to
       be applicable to any subsequent disposition of the Target Shares by
       Optionee until such right lapses in accordance with paragraph (f) below.

       (e)    Partial Exercise of Right. In the event the Company (or its
       assignees) makes a timely exercise of the Right of First Refusal with
       respect to a portion, but not all, of the Target Shares specified in the
       Disposition Notice, Optionee shall have the option, exercisable by
       written notice to the Company delivered within thirty (30) days after the
       date of the Disposition Notice, to effect the sale of the Target Shares
       pursuant to one of the following alternatives:

              (i)    sale or other disposition of all the Target Shares to the
              third-party offeror identified in the Disposition Notice, but in
              full compliance with the requirements of paragraph (d), as if the
              Company did not exercise the Right of First Refusal hereunder; or

              (ii)   sale to the Company (or its assignees) of the portion of
              the Target Shares which the Company (or its assignees) has elected
              to purchase, such sale to be effected in substantial conformity
              with the provisions of paragraph (c) above.

              Failure of Optionee to deliver timely notification to the Company
              under this paragraph (e) shall be deemed to be an election by
              Optionee to sell the Target Shares pursuant to alternative (i)
              above.

       (f)    Lapse. The Right of First Refusal under this Section 12 shall
       lapse and cease to have effect upon the sale of securities pursuant to a
       registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act in
       connection with the firm commitment underwritten offering of its
       securities to the general public is consummated or when the Company is
       subject to the requirements of Sections 12(g) or 15(d) of the Securities
       and Exchange Act of 1934, whichever event shall first occur.

13. Limitations on Disposition of Incentive Stock Option Shares. It is
understood and intended that this option shall qualify as an "incentive stock
option" as defined in Section 422 of the Code. Accordingly, the Optionee
understands that in order to obtain the benefits of an incentive stock option
under Section 421 of the Code, no sale or other disposition may be made of any
shares acquired upon exercise of the option within one year after the day of the
transfer of such shares to him, nor within two years after the grant of the
option. If the Optionee intends to dispose, or does dispose (whether by sale,
exchange, gift, transfer or otherwise), of any such shares within said periods,
he or she will notify the Company in writing within ten days after such
disposition.

14. Investment Representations; Legends.

       (a)    Representations. The Optionee represents, warrants and covenants
       that:

              (i)    Any shares purchased upon exercise of this option shall be
              acquired for the Optionee's account for investment only, and not
              with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution
              of the shares in violation of the Securities Act of 1933 (the
              "Securities Act"), or any rule or regulation under the Securities
              Act.



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              (ii)   The Optionee has had such opportunity as he or she has
              deemed adequate to obtain from representatives of the Company such
              information as is necessary to permit the Optionee to evaluate the
              merits and risks of his or her investment in the Company.

              (iii)  The Optionee is able to bear the economic risk of holding
              such shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of this option for
              an indefinite period.

              (iv)   The Optionee understands that (A) the shares acquired
              pursuant to the exercise of this option will not be registered
              under the Securities Act and are "restricted securities" within
              the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act; (B) such shares
              cannot be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of unless they
              are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an
              exemption from registration is then available; (C) in any event,
              an exemption from registration under Rule 144 or otherwise under
              the Securities Act may not be available for at least two years and
              even then will not be available unless a public market then exists
              for the Common Stock, adequate information concerning the Company
              is then available to the public, and other terms and conditions of
              Rule 144 are complied with; and (D) there is now no registration
              statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission with
              respect to any stock of the Company and the Company has no
              obligation or current intention to register any shares acquired
              pursuant to the exercise of this option under the Securities Act.

              (v)    The Optionee agrees that, if the Company offers any of its
              Common Stock for sale pursuant to a registration statement under
              the Securities Act, the Optionee will not, without the prior
              written consent of the Company, offer, sell, contract to sell or
              otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly (a "Disposition"),
              any shares purchased upon exercise of this option for a period of
              90 days after the effective date of such registration statement.

              By making payment upon exercise of this option, the Optionee shall
              be deemed to have reaffirmed, as of the date of such payment, the
              representations made in this Section 14.

       (b)    Legends on Stock Certificate. All stock certificates representing
       shares of Common Stock issued to the Optionee upon exercise of this
       option shall have affixed thereto legends substantially in the following
       forms, in addition to any other legends required by applicable state law:

              "The shares of stock represented by this certificate have not been
                     registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be
                     transferred, sold or otherwise disposed of in the absence
                     of an effective registration statement with respect to the
                     shares evidenced by this certificate, filed and made
                     effective under the Securities Act of 1933, or an opinion
                     of counsel satisfactory to the Company to the effect that
                     registration under such Act is not required."

              "The shares of stock represented by this certificate are subject
                     to certain restrictions on transfer and a right of first
                     refusal contained in an Option Agreement, a copy of which
                     will be furnished upon request by the issuer."

15. Miscellaneous.

       (a)    Except as provided herein, this option may not be amended or
       otherwise modified unless evidenced in writing and signed by the Company
       and the Optionee.

       (b)    All notices under this option shall be mailed or delivered by hand
       to the parties at their respective addresses set forth beneath their
       names below or at such other address as may be designated in writing by
       either of the parties to one another.


<PAGE>
This option shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Connecticut.


DATE OF GRANT: [________________]       OPEN SOLUTIONS INC.



                                        By:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Carl D. Blandino
                                            Title: Treasurer/Secretary

                                        Address: 300 Winding Brook Drive
                                                 Glastonbury, CT 06033





       OPTIONEE SIGNATURE PAGE



       Please sign and date this page and return to the Open Solutions Inc.
       Human Resources Dept. at:

       Open Solutions Inc.
       Human Resources
       300 Winding Brook Drive
       Glastonbury, CT  06033

       Or return to the Open Solutions Human Resources Dept via the OSI
       interoffice mail system. Failure to sign and return this form can result
       in the cancellation of the granted option.


       ----------------------------------
       Optionee Name (Print)



       ----------------------------------
       Optionee Name (Signature)



       ----------------------------------
       Last 4 digits of Social Security #



       ----------------------------------
       Date



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Schedule A

The option granted by this Agreement vest 25% on the first anniversary of date
hereof and thereafter in equal monthly installments over the next 36 months.

Number of Months Since                         Percentage of Shares as to which
the Agreement was Executed                         Option is Exercisable

less than 12                                                 -0-
12                                                         25.0%
13                                                         27.1%
14                                                         29.2%
15                                                         31.2%
16                                                         33.23
17                                                         35.4%
18                                                         37.5%
19                                                         39.6%
20                                                         41.7%
21                                                         43.7%
22                                                         45.8%
23                                                         47.9%
24                                                         50.0%
25                                                         52.1%
26                                                         54.2%
27                                                         56.2%
28                                                         58.3%
29                                                         60.4%
30                                                         62.5%
31                                                         64.6%
32                                                         66.7%
33                                                         68.7%
34                                                         70.1%
35                                                         72.9%
36                                                         75.0%
37                                                         77.1%
38                                                         79.2%
39                                                         81.2%
40                                                         83.3%
41                                                         85.4%
42                                                         87.5%
43                                                         89.6%
44                                                         91.7%
45                                                         93.7%
46                                                         95.8%
47                                                         97.9%
48                                                        100.0%